I've been really encouraged during this recent hot streak by Hinrich and Gordon's drives to the basket.  It's still not as often as it should be nor are the calls always in their favor, but I think they popped in their copies of Air Time and learned something.  I think this really helps Matt's sixth point of getting fouls on the Big (Fat) Guy.  As Matt pointed out, Williams is not a great defender insofar as he calls it "other-team-with-ball part of the game" and if Hinrich doesn't attack the rim it's only because he didn't want it.

Wade is going to score, but let it be on jump shots.  Once he gets into the paint, he draws fouls and messes our beautifully laid plans up.

And finally, I don't like their bench even though Udonis is like Etan Thomas: a marginal player that has played very well against us in the past.  We're bringing Deng, Duhon, and Chandler off the bench as far as we know.  Walker is playing well currently, but I get the feeling Gary Payton takes many pills to be able to walk in the morning and rest is garbage bag.

And finally, Jannero Pargo will play a huge role.  He needs to take his towel waving and words of encouragement for the guys on the court to a new level during this post-season.  He shouldn't see more than 10 minutes a game if God is merciful.

Time for Nocioni to recapture his former playoff voracity and be showered with name chants!

Matt, I guess I basically agree with you.

1.    Maintain Free Throw Equality

The Bulls have gotten killed at the line this year.  As a team, they've attempted the 5th fewest free throws in the NBA (24 FTA/game).  To make matters worse, when they happen to make this rare pilgrimage to the charity stripe, they're only making 73.7%.  Shaq & Wade alone get to the line almost 19 times a game. To win in the playoffs, the Bulls need to manufacture points from the free throw line and that means attempting AT LEAST 30 free throws a game.  We can't have one of those games where the Heat are 24/36 from the line and the Bulls are 10/14. Also, let's not forget the most important part of getting to the line - MAKING THEM!

2.    "No 3rd Wheel"

Remember during the MJ Era when someone other than MJ/Pippen went off?  It was one of those games when Horace, Pax, Kukoc, Kerr, even Longley would put up 20+ points?  When that happened, the Bulls were even more unbeatable.  I believe the same is true with the 2006 Heat.  Shaq & Wade will get their points, but the Bulls have got to prevent Payton, White Chocolate, Posey, Haslem, and ESPECIALLY Antoine Walker from exploding.  And yes, I'm talking to you Nocioni who seems to have a tendency to leave his man wide open in the corner for open 3's.  

3.    No "off days" for Gordon

This team is going to need some serious firepower to win.  The Bulls best scorer can't forget to show up one night.  Hinrich will likely spend plenty of time guarding Wade and can't be expected to carry the team at both ends.  Gordon MUST be good for 24+ ppg.  I'm not talking about going all Kobe and busting for 50.  I'm just saying we need consistency from a somewhat-inconsistent player.  Hopefully the goose egg Gordon laid in the final game last year still stings a little and he's ready to make it up to us.

4.    "The Shaq Rules"

RUN!!!!   No, not from him, AT HIM!  In the 2004 NBA Finals, the Pistons effectively ran Shaq out of the game.  I suggest that the Bulls employ a similar strategy and try to get the ball up the court as quickly as possible.  The Bulls have the youth and personal to do it.  Hinrich runs an excellent break, while Gordon spots up and Deng/Noc fill the lanes and finish.  In other instances when the Heat are set up defensively, I hope the Bulls engage and attack Shaq relentlessly.  Shaq is averaging a career high 3.9 personal fouls/game.  As he's gotten older, Shaq has shown a real ineptitude to rotate defensively.  If the Bulls settle for jump shot after jump shot, Shaq will play the majority of the game and the Bulls chances of winning will plummet.  However, by going straight at him with our "Four Headed Monster" (Sweetney/Schensher/Harrington/Chandler) hopefully we can limit Shaq to 20-24 minutes/game and dramatically improve the Bulls' chance of winning.